Vietnam Train Booking: Classes, Seats and Where to Buy
A sleeper berth for the first time: know what you are buying before you pay.
Book Vietnam train tickets through the official Vietnam Railways site or a booking agent you can verify. Choose the class by how well you sleep, and confirm the date, train number and berth before you pay.
Where do you buy tickets?
Vietnam Railways’ official booking website is dsvn.vn1. A booking agent can also help, particularly if you prefer to pay in a familiar way, but compare fees and cancellation terms first.
The railway is a single-track line, 1,727 km for the main North-South route2. Timetables change, so check the current one before you plan around a departure.
What do the classes mean?
- Soft seat: a padded seat, suited to day trips.
- Hard seat: a firmer seat, low in cost.
- Soft sleeper: a cabin with padded berths, more private and quieter.
- Hard sleeper: a cabin with firmer berths, usually with more beds per cabin.
Cabin sizes differ between trains. A lower berth is easier for seniors and children, while an upper berth means a climb.
Which option suits which traveller?
- Seniors: a lower berth in a soft sleeper, or a day seat on a shorter leg.
- Families with children: book a full cabin if you can, so you travel together.
- Budget couples: hard sleeper for a night, which can save a hotel.
- Light sleepers: a daytime train, or a different mode.
How long are the journeys?
The full North-South run takes about 30 hours end to end3. Hanoi to Lao Cai, for Sapa, is 296 km4. See Hanoi to Sapa journey formats to compare the train with a bus or car.
What should you check before you pay?
- The date, train number and departure station.
- The class and berth position, in writing.
- The arrival hour, so you are not stranded at midnight.
- The change and refund rules.
- How you will carry your bags. Read the domestic flight baggage guide if you also fly.
For the scenic sections, read the scenic stretches guide. To compare with flying, see Hanoi to Da Nang by flight or train. Price your trip in the trip budget builder. More in Getting around Vietnam.
Tell us your route and who is travelling, and we can suggest whether a sleeper berth makes sense and what to confirm before you book.
Common questions
Where can I book Vietnam train tickets?
Use Vietnam Railways' official booking site, or a booking agent you can verify. Compare the price, the cancellation terms and what the agent charges as a fee. Keep your booking reference, because you may need it at the station.
What is the difference between soft and hard seats and berths?
Soft means a padded seat or mattress, while hard means a firmer one. Sleeper cabins vary in how many berths they hold, and lower berths are easier for seniors. Ask the seller to confirm the exact class and berth position.
Can I choose my berth?
You can usually pick a position when booking, subject to availability. Lower berths suit older travellers and children, while upper berths can be less comfortable to climb. Confirm the position before paying and screenshot it.
How early should I buy tickets?
Buy as soon as your dates are firm, especially for sleepers on weekends and holidays. Tickets for popular dates sell out. If your plan may change, check the refund and change rules first.
Sources
- Vietnam Railways' official booking website is dsvn.vn. Wikipedia
- Vietnam Railways' main route is a 1,727 km single-track North-South line; total track is 3,160 km, mostly metre gauge. Wikipedia
- Typical end-to-end journeys on the Reunification Express last about 30 hours; express timetables run about 33 to 34 hours. Wikipedia. Timetables change; check dsvn.vn.
- The Hanoi to Lao Cai railway is 296 km, single-track metre gauge. Wikipedia
Keep planning
Tell us your route and who is travelling, and we can suggest whether a sleeper berth makes sense and what to confirm before you book.